1.1.12 Wasted Energy

• In practice, most systems tend to be open systems.
• When energy transfers occur that are not useful, these are described as energy being dissipated to the surroundings.
• Dissipated just means spread out.
• Often these less useful energy transfers involve heating, light and sound.
• When energy is transferred to the thermal stores of the objects, the temperature of the objects increases.
• Visible light is electromagnetic radiation.
• When sound is produced, the sound waves make the air particles vibrate as the wave carries energy away.
• Useful energy can be defined as: The energy that is transferred from store to store and used for an intended purpose.
• Wasted energy can be defined as: The energy that is not useful for the intended purpose and is dissipated to the surroundings.